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Cancer survivorship care plans: Processes, effective strategies, and challenges in a Northern Plains rural state
Author(s) -
Isaacson Mary J.,
Hulme Polly A.,
Cowan Jenna,
Kerkvliet Jennifer
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12393
Subject(s) - survivorship curve , health care , public health , program evaluation , population , medicine , nursing , gerontology , medical education , family medicine , environmental health , economic growth , political science , public administration , economics
Objectives Health systems face resource and time barriers to developing and implementing cancer survivorship care plans ( SCP s) when active cancer treatment is completed. To address this problem, the South Dakota ( SD ) Department of Health partnered with two of SD 's largest health systems to create the SD Survivorship Program. The purpose of this program evaluation study was to describe and compare SCP development and implementation at the two health systems. Design & Sample A descriptive qualitative design was used. Interview participants were instrumental in the development and implementation of SCP s within their respective health system. Measures Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results The two health systems used similar processes for (a) early designation of program personnel, (b) developing SCP templates, (c) provider/staff input, and (d) identifying/tracking eligible patients. In contrast, they developed differing processes for SCP completion and delivery. The two health systems also identified effective strategies and challenges in SCP development and implementation. Conclusion This evaluation suggests that partnerships between state health departments and local health systems could be key for meeting the nation‐wide goal of universal SCP implementation. Particularly, other low‐population rural states like SD can use the findings to help build their SCP programs.